GOVERNANCE
Former Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. Keith Mitchell has laid out his blueprint to help guide anyone aspiring to reach the highest elected political office and others already serving in the position. He has suggested that they should not only command both prime ministerial authority and prime ministerial power to govern effectively, but also learn how to motivate others to work towards a common goal and lead from the front when necessary. The current Opposition Leader in Grenada was presenting on the topic, “Reflections on the Role of Prime Ministerial Power and Authority in Regional and International Spaces” during the 18 th Patrick A. M. Emmanuel Memorial Lecture, last November. Distinction Between Prime Ministerial Power and Authority
Dr. Keith Mitchell Former Prime Minister of Grenada
T he Grenadian is one of the few prime ministers in the Caribbean to win all seats in three general elections, having done so in 1999, 2013 and 2018. During his political career which spans four decades, he led his party to five general election victories. Dr. Mitchell differentiated prime ministerial power from prime ministerial authority. The former referred to the authority granted in the constitution to the head of government to exercise control and influence over the Cabinet and other executive branches of government, while the latter related to recognition of the prime minister’s position within the political system. “There are times when prime ministers must lead from the front. Others may catch up, but there are these times when leading from the front is the right, the only strategic action to take.”
In his reflections, he said leaders needed to be guided by humility and respect for members, and this was especially critical for prime ministers who do not have unbridled authority, and as such, should ensure they continued to receive the support of their colleagues and the populace. “To maintain the legitimacy of political office, prime ministers must ensure they carry other members of parliament, members of their own political party and the electorate along, particularly during challenging periods or where difficult decisions are necessary. Without bringing these groupings along, political power will soon be lost.” One such difficult period occurred between 2004 and 2005 when Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Emily affected Grenada. Hurricane Ivan left 49 people dead and damaged or destroyed over 90 per cent of the country’s housing stock. The situation was worsened with the passage of Emily the following year. “If there was ever a time where political power alone would have been inadequate to the challenge, it was after these two hurricanes.”
CHILL NEWS 110
CONTENTS PAGE
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator